Trapani and Erice trip ‣

When in Sicily, a place that you must visit is the historic town of Trapani. Fortunately, Castellammare del Golfo, where our apartments are located, is really close to Trapani - only about 50 km. Therefore, it is worth renting a car (we will be happy to show you our recommended rental companies) and go on a full-day trip, traveling through picturesque landscapes. The drive will take you approximately 30 minutes, making this city accessible for a one-day trip.

Trapani has its own unique charm that allows you to easily blend into Sicilian life and experience its characteristic culture and atmosphere. Here, the days pass much slower, which gives the impression that many things have stopped in time. Morning coffee in a local bar, the clatter coming from the port, the bustle of the Fish Market and unhurried neighborly chats in the narrow streets - all this creates a unique atmosphere.

Trapani is divided into a historic, tourist part and a new town. Of course, the biggest attractions are in the historic part. The most important certainly include:

Port of Trapani: The historic port of Trapani is a place where both large liner ferries and tourist ships arrive, regularly sailing to nearby islands. An evening walk around the port, among yachts and fishing boats, can be truly romantic.
Old Town: Near the port there is an atmospheric old town. The buildings in this part of the city mainly come from the Middle Ages, and some of them represent Baroque architecture. In the old town you can find numerous restaurants serving local specialties, bars, shops and, of course, places with souvenirs.
Basilica Santuario di Maria Santissima Annunziata: This is by far the most important monument of the city. The church is located in the eastern part of Trapani on Via Conte Agostino Pepoli. The construction of the basilica began in 1315 and lasted for several years. Next to the temple is the Museo Pepoli, where you can admire archaeological finds, Sicilian paintings, ceramics and jewelry.
City Walls: An exceptionally picturesque part of Trapani. From the promenade you can see the new town, the mountain of Erice (which we will return to in a moment!) and the further coast. Walking around this area, you can reach the promenade that leads to the Torre de Ligny tower - this is where the city of Trapani and all of Italy ends!
Fish Market: Every day from the early morning hours, fishermen display their night catches, and residents do their daily shopping there. The Fish Market is not only a place to run errands, but also a social place full of life!

Finally, one more great attraction. When in Trapani, be sure to go to the stone town of Erice, located less than 15 km away. Erice was once the capital of the entire region and the richest city in the area. Even though today it has only 200 permanent inhabitants, the atmosphere of Erice is still unique.

However, it is worth remembering that the weather here can be a bit capricious. While the thermometers in Trapani are melting from the heat, Erica, located higher, is often shrouded in mysterious fog, sometimes turning into rain. But don't let the weather deter you. Erice is an absolute MUST HAVE on the list of tourist attractions in Sicily. It's hard to find another place like this in the world. The town simply looks like something out of a fairy tale - everything is made of stone, narrow streets, picturesque squares, and castles as if taken from medieval fairy tales and legends. Additionally, there is an amazing view from here - on one side to Trapani, on the other to the northern coast of the island and Monte Cofano.

In Erice itself there are numerous shops with regional products, charming cafes and interesting restaurants. What's more, the road to Erice itself can be a great attraction. We recommend getting here by the ski lift, which starts from Trapani and will take you right to the city gates. The journey from Trapani (from the station at an altitude of approximately 40 m above sea level) to the station in Erice (located at an altitude of 703 m above sea level) takes approximately 10 minutes. During this short trip you can admire breathtaking views

breathtaking views of Trapani, the Aegadians and the entire coast. A one-way ticket costs EUR 6 and a return ticket costs EUR 9.5.

Enjoy your visit!